This article was co-authored by Matt Bowman. Matt Bowman is a Gardener and the Owner of the Tradition Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2006, Tradition Company provides car washing, lawn care, property maintenance, pressure washing, maid services, firewood delivery, and Christmas trees. With over 20 years of gardening experience, Matt specializes in organic vegetable gardening and general gardening practices. He holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

Ideal for providing shade in backyard and along neighborhood streets, the elm tree is one of the most common trees. Its many varieties are present all over the world. There are more than 30 species of elm, but most share several common features: green, toothed leaves that turn yellow in fall, bark that is deeply ridged and grey-brown in color, and a roughly vase-like shape make the tree easily distinguishable from others. Sadly, the presence of Dutch elm disease threatens many old stands of elms, but its presence can also be used to identify elms.

Examine the leaves of the tree. Elm leaves alternate along two sides of the stem. The leaf is oval in shape and comes to a point at the end. The edges of the leaf are jagged and the veins are prominent. The base of the leaf is slightly asymmetrical. Many varieties of elm leaves are smooth on top and fuzzy on the bottom.[1]XTrustworthy SourceIowa State University Extension and OutreachIowa State University's Extension and Outreach program dedicated to educating and engaging communitiesGo to source

The leaves of an American elm are typically 10-15 centimeters (4-6 inches) long.

Leaves of the English Elm are usually ten centimeters (four inches) long and seven centimeters (two and a half inches) wide. They sport 10 to 12 veins.[2]XResearch source

European White Elms have up to 17 veins on the front of the leaf and 14 on the bottom.[3]XResearch source

Check for overall height and width. Mature elms reach a height of about 35 meters (115 feet) with a trunk diameter of around 175 centimeters (68 inches). Depending on the species or cultivar, they can reach 9 to 18 meters (30-59 feet) in width. Many American species of elm will actually become larger, with some growing to 39 meters (128 feet) in height and 37 meters (121 feet) in width.

Look at the trunk. Elm trees often have split or branching trunks. There might be two or more trunks branching up and away from the main trunk.[8]XResearch source If you see a tree with a single, central vertical trunk, it is not an elm.[9]XResearch source

Consider the tree’s location. Use the location of the tree to determine if it could be an elm. Different varieties of elms grow in different places. For instance, American elms are common in the eastern half of the United States, from the Rocky Mountains eastward.[10]XResearch source They are less common west of the Rockies, though the can be found in California.

Siberian elms (also known as the Asiatic, Lacebark, or Chinese elm) are common in Central Asia, Mongolia China, Siberia, India, and Korea.

European elms are common across Europe. Before Dutch elm disease arrived, English elms were also common across Europe, but they are now confined primarily to Portugal, France, Spain, and England.

If you know there are many elm trees in a certain area and the tree matches approximate descriptions of elm trees, you probably have an elm tree. Look for areas likely to contain thriving elm trees.

Elms adapt to a variety of climates and planting situations, including poor or mildly salty soil, extreme cold, atmospheric pollution, and drought.[11]XResearch source However, they prefer areas that are in full sun to part shade with well-drained, but moist, soil.

Identify what creatures the tree attracts. Many animals, bugs, and birds share the ecosystem with elms. For instance, the American elm attracts birds and mammals (mice, squirrels, and opossums) that feed on its buds. Deer and rabbits will chew the bark and small branches of younger trees. If you see a host of animals and bugs hanging around a tree, it could be an elm.

Caterpillars might be found munching on the leaves.

Woodpeckers, raccoons, squirrels, and chickadees are commonly found living in elms.

Slippery elms also attract birds, who like to snack on the tree’s fruit and buds.

Look for visible roots. The base of an elm is reinforced with a visible, shallow root system with a broad reach. The bark of the roots will have the same general texture and color as the bark on the rest of the tree. While it might not be present in young elms, look for roots that are visible along the ground.

Look for sick trees. Elm trees are commonly afflicted with Dutch elm disease. As its name implies, the disease only affects elm trees, so if you see a tree with the symptoms of Dutch elm disease, you can safely conclude it is an elm. Look for:

Look for flowers. Depending on your species of elm, you may or may not have flowers in the spring. European White Elms, for instance, sprout small purple flowers in early spring.[12]XResearch source Wych Elms have similar reddish purple flowers that sprout at the same time.[13]XResearch source

The Caucasian Elm, by contrast, has small green flowers that also emerge in spring.[14]XResearch source

English Elms sprout red flowers in small clusters early in spring.[15]XResearch source

Flowers may be hidden behind the leaves of the elm if the tree has already produced leaves, so look closely before deciding whether a tree is an elm or not.

Look at the seeds of the elm. Elm seeds form and fall from the trees in springtime soon after flowering. They are distinctive in appearance. Elm seeds are round, flat and covered by a thin, paper-like casing that hooks at the top.

Most elms bear single seeds about the size of a pea.

The seeds are encased in a green, thin, ovular case the resembles an insect wing called a samara.[16]XResearch source[17]XResearch source

When mature, the seeds will change from green to a hay-like yellow-brown tone.

Examine elms in the fall. Check trees in autumn when the leaves are changing colours. Many species of elm trees have leaves that will turn a bright yellow in fall, and sometimes a yellowish-purple colour. For instance, leaves on the Wych Elm and English Elm are renowned for turning bright yellow in autumn.[18]XResearch source The leaves often may be hiding blooms that are still present from late summer, so look carefully before judging whether a tree is an elm or not.

Examine the tree in the winter. Elms are deciduous, meaning they shed their leaves once each year, starting in the fall.[19]XResearch source By the winter, they will be bare of leaves, and then in the spring they will start to re-grow their leaves. If you notice this foliage pattern, you might have an elm.

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Community Q&A

Matt Bowman is a Gardener and the Owner of the Tradition Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2006, Tradition Company provides car washing, lawn care, property maintenance, pressure washing, maid services, firewood delivery, and Christmas trees. With over 20 years of gardening experience, Matt specializes in organic vegetable gardening and general gardening practices. He holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

Dutch elm disease is apparent when you see elm leaves starting to wither or turn yellow in summer, when they are usually green and healthy. It might seem as though fall came early. Usually the disease attacks the upper branches first, then spreads down the length of the tree.

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Elms are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including Dutch elm disease. This is a fungal disease that is spread by insects. You can identify whether an elm is diseased by looking for wilting of young shoots or leaves, large patches of dead leaves, or yellowing of the leaves when they are young and not about to change colour due to the season.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Matt Bowman. Matt Bowman is a Gardener and the Owner of the Tradition Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2006, Tradition Company provides car washing, lawn care, property maintenance, pressure washing, maid services, firewood delivery, and Christmas trees. With over 20 years of gardening experience, Matt specializes in organic vegetable gardening and general gardening practices. He holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.

If you’re not sure how to identify an elm tree, start by examining the leaves. Elm leaves are oval-shaped and come to a point at the end, with jagged edges and prominent veins. The base of the leaf is slightly asymmetrical, and the leaves may be smooth on top and fuzzy on the bottom. Next, check the bark of the tree. An elm tree’s bark is rough, deeply furrowed, and can range in color from light grey to dark greyish brown. To learn how to identify the seeds of an elm tree, read on!

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 729,728 times.

Reader Success Stories

GG

Gail Galusha

Jul 29, 2017

"There is a huge, beautiful tree in my apartment complex that I have been admiring for years. I had no idea what it was but I wanted it to be an Elm tree for an unknown reason. It is an Elm matching your description of leaves, bark and size. Since I was a little girl I loved the woods and I still am in awe with their magnificence! (Trees) They just feel "safe" in our troubled world. Thank you for the brief break."..." more

RE

Richard Eyres

Apr 4, 2016

"I was trying to identify the species of a particular tree in our garden and came across the wikiHow website almost by chance. As a result of the clear and easy-to-follow guidance provided, it was relatively easy for me to confirm that the tree in an elm."..." more

A

Anonymous

Jun 13, 2017

"Last summer we noticed what we thought were American elm trees in our front yard losing leaves in the middle of summer at a very rapid rate. This article helped me know about Dutch elm disease and also about the different types of elm trees."..." more

KO

Karin Otey-Caruso

Aug 13, 2017

"I recently caught my first silk moth and was trying to identify elm trees, as that's one food source of the moth. Very good descriptions and illustrations. Identified the elm right away."..." more

Rated this article:

EG

Eileen Gunther

Jan 7, 2017

"I am doing a survey of a 17-hectare campsite with many Australian gums and wattles, as well as trees from all over the world. It is daunting, so your website is very helpful."..." more

AS

Agnes Smith

Aug 16, 2017

"This article helped me in simple, basic identifying characteristics of the elm tree while out walking around local suburbs that are growing this particular species."..." more

MV

Mily Velez

Aug 13, 2017

"Amazing the variety found in nature. I am just beginning to get familiarized with the trees in Central Florida and imagine their use as bonsai specimens."..." more

KJ

Karen James

Mar 8, 2018

"I am allergic to ELM trees and this article helped a lot. How to identify the Elm by the leaves, root, and how the tree looks. "..." more

JL

Jacqueline Ladd

Apr 18, 2016

"The many drawings and written descriptions of each type of elm tree was very helpful! I learned more than I expected!"..." more

LM

Larry McFarlin

Mar 7, 2019

"Knowing the shapes of the leaves will make it easier to spot an elm tree because of their asymmetrical base"

SA

Sophia Andreski

Aug 2, 2016

"English Elms are in such short supply that I've never learned to identify them. This helped a great deal!"

KL

KD Long

Apr 25, 2017

"I wanted to know easy ways to identify elms to help me hunt morel mushrooms. This helped a ton! "

Rated this article:

KS

Kecia Scarbrough

Apr 27, 2017

"I was wondering what tree was outside my building because my allergies are starting to act up."

"There is a huge, beautiful tree in my apartment complex that I have been admiring for years. I had no idea what it was but I wanted it to be an Elm tree for an unknown reason. It is an Elm matching your description of leaves, bark and size. Since I was a little girl I loved the woods and I still am in awe with their magnificence! (Trees) They just feel "safe" in our troubled world. Thank you for the brief break."..." more

RE

Richard Eyres

Apr 4, 2016

"I was trying to identify the species of a particular tree in our garden and came across the wikiHow website almost by chance. As a result of the clear and easy-to-follow guidance provided, it was relatively easy for me to confirm that the tree in an elm."..." more

A

Anonymous

Jun 13, 2017

"Last summer we noticed what we thought were American elm trees in our front yard losing leaves in the middle of summer at a very rapid rate. This article helped me know about Dutch elm disease and also about the different types of elm trees."..." more

KO

Karin Otey-Caruso

Aug 13, 2017

"I recently caught my first silk moth and was trying to identify elm trees, as that's one food source of the moth. Very good descriptions and illustrations. Identified the elm right away."..." more

Rated this article:

EG

Eileen Gunther

Jan 7, 2017

"I am doing a survey of a 17-hectare campsite with many Australian gums and wattles, as well as trees from all over the world. It is daunting, so your website is very helpful."..." more